Bethel Woods FAQ

Plan Your VISIT

Bethel Woods FAQ

What are the general policies at The Center?
What are the different venues at Bethel Woods?
When are there events at Bethel Woods?
What is the address for Bethel Woods?
How do I get to Bethel Woods?
What is The Museum at Bethel Woods?
What time do the gates open for Pavilion Stage concerts?
How long should I arrive before a performance?
Can I see the Pavilion Stage and hear music from the lawn area?
Can I bring my own lawn chair?
Is the venue handicap and wheelchair accessible?
Are there video screens?
If it starts to rain, can I take an empty seat under the pavilion?
What is the cancellation of show policy?
Where can I find information concerning traffic or weather concerns on performance days?
What can I bring into Bethel Woods?
Can I bring a picnic basket meal?
What items are not allowed to be brought in?
May I smoke at Bethel Woods?
Is tailgating allowed, and if so, what is permissible?
Once I enter the venue, can I leave and return?
Are pets allowed at Bethel Woods?
Can I visit the museum and go to a Pavilion Stage concert at the same time?
Can I take pictures inside The Museum at Bethel Woods?
Where and how can I purchase tickets to shows at Bethel Woods?
Are their any discounts for children at Pavilion Stage concerts?
Are strollers and wagons allowed for children?
Where and how can I purchase tickets to The Museum at Bethel Woods?
Where can I pick up tickets before the Pavilion Stage performance?
How can I find out when tickets will go on sale for a particular performance?
Can I get a discount if I buy tickets for a large group?
Can I refund or exchange my tickets?
Can tickets be reprinted if I have lost or misplaced them?
Where do I park for a Pavilion, Terrace or Events Gallery performances?
How much does parking cost?
Are there pay phones?
Is there an ATM machine inside the venue?
Is there a lost and found and where is it located?

What are the general policies at The Center?

At Bethel Woods, we strive to provide all our guests with a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable atmosphere.

General Policies:

There is no charge for parking when entering our lots, please keep traffic flowing
The parking lots and main concert gates open approximately 2 1/2 prior to schedule show time
Allow yourself at least 20 minutes to travel from your vehicle to the Pavilion seating area
Each guest in the pavilion must be a ticket holder with an assigned seat
Pets are not allowed on the premises (registered service animals are permitted)
There is a no re-entry policy upon exiting

Please feel welcome to bring:

Blankets
Backpacks and soft bags
Hand-held umbrellas
Cameras that do not have the capability of multiple lenses are permitted, except when prohibited by the artist. Photography is prohibited during most performances.
Water - two 20 oz. factory sealed plastic bottles of water per person
Food - one 1 gallon clear zip lock bag per person; Food may be consumed in designated picnic areas

The following items are not permitted:

Sporting equipment (including roller-blades, skateboards, and bikes)
Aerosol cans
Firearms, knives, fireworks
Glass of any kind (including bottles)
Laser pointers
Audio and video recording equipment
Lawn chairs are not permitted to be brought into the venue. For your safety and convenience, Bethel Woods offers two types of lawn chairs appropriate for the slope of the lawn. These chairs are available for rental at ($5.00).

Parking lot guidelines:

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts prides itself in being a safe, family friendly environment. In order to provide for the highest level of safety and convenience for our guests, we have established the following guidelines for our parking lot areas.

Tailgating is allowed in the parking areas; however, there are NO tents or canopies permitted
Barbequing is permitted on the pavement with gas-fired grills only - no charcoal grills
State Law prohibits the sale of tickets or any unauthorized merchandise in the parking lot
Parking at Bethel Woods is for the convenience of concert or museum ticket holders only
Distribution of unauthorized pamphlets, flyers, or any other item is strictly prohibited
There is no overnight parking at Bethel Woods

What are the different venues at Bethel Woods?
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is an outdoor performing arts center and museum located approximately 90 minutes from New York City at the site of the original 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair in Bethel, NY. The 15,000 seat outdoor performing arts venue and the Museum (opening June 2008) are set within nearly 2,000 bucolic acres. The Pavilion covers 4,500 seats with another 10,500 on a natural sloping lawn while offering unique backdrops including the original 1969 Woodstock festival site and the majesty of the surrounding Sullivan County countryside. Other venues at the center include an outdoor 1,000-seat Terrace Stage, a 4,300 sq. ft. Museum Events Gallery and the Harvest Festival Site where there is a craft and farmers’ market. The original Woodstock site, which holds a permit for 30,000 concertgoers to attend major musical events, is also located on the campus

When are there events at Bethel Woods?
Bethel Woods programs outdoor performance events generally from June through September. Indoor performances and events at the Museum at Bethel Woods (open June 2008) are scheduled mid-March through Early January. The Harvest Festival, an outdoor farmer's and craft market and festival runs Sundays, from August 24 thought October 12. Learn more about the Harvest Festival.

To see a complete schedule, visit the Bethel Woods calendar of events.

What is the address for Bethel Woods?
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is located at 200 Hurd Rd, Bethel, NY 12720. If you wish to write to us, please send correspondence to our business office:
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
P.O. Box 222
Liberty, NY 12754
e-mail us at info@bethelwoodslive.org.

How do I get to Bethel Woods?
View the Directions and Parking page for more information.

What is The Museum at Bethel Woods?
The Museum at Bethel Woods explores the unique experience of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair, its significance as the culminating event of a decade of radical cultural transformation, and the legacies of the Sixties and Woodstock today. Through personal stories and profiles, immersive musical and multi-media exhibit displays and experiences, engaging programs, and educational events, the museum encourages inter-generational dialogue about important ideas and issues relevant to today. It also helps to preserve the historic site on which the Woodstock festival took place.

What time do the gates open for Pavilion Stage concerts?
Gates open 2½ hours prior to a Pavilion Stage performance. Check the event page for exact times. Grounds access is limited to Festival Plaza and Great Lawn area. Check event pages for Terrace Stage and Events Gallery Gate openings.

How long should I arrive before a performance?
Gates open 2½ hours prior to a Pavilion Stage performance. The Terrace Stage is open 1½ hours before the performance. The Events Gallery performances are open 1 hour prior to performance time. Check event pages for exact times for Pavilion, Terrace, and Event Gallery Gate openings.

Can I see the Pavilion Stage and hear music from the lawn area?
The general admission lawn seating area is designed with an incline in order to provide optimum sound and sight lines to the main stage. Lawn chairs are available for rental at $5.00 per chair. Please do not bring a lawn chair – you will not be permitted to enter the venue. Lawn chairs may be rented at the following location. Cash and credit cards are accepted.

Can I bring my own lawn chair?
Lawn chairs are not permitted to be brought into the venue. For your safety and convenience, Bethel Woods offers lawn chairs appropriate for the slope of the lawn. Chairs are available for rental at ($5.00).

Is the venue handicap and wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Bethel Woods exceeds standards for Accessibility. Parking for guests with a valid handicap license plate or other authorized identification is available near the Accessible/Special Needs Depot. Guests should follow signage towards the Accessible parking areas for designated parking. Guests requiring accessible seating should make advance reservations to avoid disappointment in the event of a sold out performance.

Are there video screens?
Yes, for most performances, video screens are used for Pavilion Stage performances.

If it starts to rain, can I take an empty seat under the pavilion?
All guests sitting under the pavilion are required to hold a ticket for a pavilion seat. If it rains, you may visit our box office to upgrade your ticket to a pavilion seat. Bethel Woods is an outdoor facility and the performances are not cancelled due to inclement weather. We urge our guests to be prepared by tuning into local weather (WSUL 98.3, WVOS 95.5) radio stations for information on the day’s forecast.

What is the cancellation of show policy?
All shows are "Rain or Shine" and will not be canceled due to inclement weather.

Where can I find information concerning traffic or weather concerns on performance days?
Visit our website BethelWoodsCenter.org.

What can I bring into Bethel Woods?
For any of the outdoor performances, please feel welcome to bring:
- Blankets
- Backpacks and soft bags
- Hand-held umbrellas
- Water - two 20 oz. factory sealed plastic bottles of water per person
- Food - one 1 gallon clear zip lock bag per person. Food may be consumed in designated picnic areas
- Cameras that do not have the capability of multiple lenses are permitted, except
when prohibited by the artist. Photography is prohibited during most performances

Can I bring a picnic basket meal?
Yes, picnics are welcome at orchestral performances. These performances are identified on the event listing page. You may bring food and beverages (no bottles, cans, alcohol, please), coolers, and blankets onto the lawn area prior to the show. Come enjoy an evening under the stars!

What items are not allowed to be brought in?
Please see the table below:

	Lawn Chairs	Audio and/or video recorder, cameras portable televisions and radios	Beach umbrella, banners, signs- tents, canopies, candles	Cans, glass, beverages	Alcohol	Small soft coolers	Food in clear plastic bags or containers	Factory sealed plastic water bottle	Sporting equipment (including roller-blades, skateboards, and bikes, Frisbees, kites)
Pavilion Stage	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Terrace Stage	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Events Gallery: The items above are not permitted in this indoor gallery in the Museum.

Factory-sealed water bottles must not exceed 20 oz. Please note - water is the only beverage permitted into Bethel Woods Center for the Arts concerts. This does not apply to picnic concerts. Please see event page for the list of picnic concerts.

Some concerts may have additional restrictions. Please check individual event pages for specific restrictions.

May I smoke at Bethel Woods?
Bethel Woods has designated smoking areas on the left and right sides of the pavilion as well as on the left and right sides of the lawn top. Please limit smoking to those designated areas. Link to map showing locations.

Is tailgating allowed, and if so, what is permissible?
Picnic style tailgating is allowed within one's own parking space. No open flame, tents or canopies are allowed in the parking lot. Our gates open 2½ hours before Pavilion Stage performances.

Once I enter the venue, can I leave and return?
For safety reasons, Bethel Woods has a "no reentry policy" on most shows. We recommend that our guests bring with them the items they will need and a light sweater or jacket as evenings can get cooler.

Are pets allowed at Bethel Woods?
Pets are not allowed on the premises (registered service animals are permitted).

Can I visit the museum and go to a Pavilion Stage concert at the same time?
Yes, you can visit the museum and attend a Pavilion Stage concert on the same day. Due to popular demand, museum visitation during a Pavilion Stage concert day is high. For the best experience, we suggest that you schedule your concert day-museum visit after 1:00 p.m. by buying tickets for a specific time and then attending the concert performance. The last entry to The Museum is 7pm on a Pavilion Stage concert day. The Museum at Bethel Woods is an immersive, highly interactive experience and we suggest that you plan at least two hours for your visit through the main exhibit gallery.

Can I take pictures inside The Museum at Bethel Woods?
Photography, videography, and sound recording are not allowed inside The Museum exhibit areas. The Museum Shop offers a variety of souvenirs, and photos are allowed outside the galleries.

Where and how can I purchase tickets to shows at Bethel Woods?
The tickets overview page explains the many options.

Are their any discounts for children at Pavilion Stage concerts?
Children under 2 are allowed free on the lawn.

Are strollers and wagons allowed for children?
Yes.

Where and how can I purchase tickets to The Museum at Bethel Woods?
Advanced tickets are strongly advised for The Museum at Bethel Woods. Visitor demand for the museum will exceed capacity on Pavilion Stage concert days. For information on how and where to buy click the tickets overview page.

Where can I pick up tickets before the Pavilion Stage performance?
Tickets can be picked up at the Will Call window at the box office on Hurd Road. Will Call tickets can only be picked up when gates open. Museum Will Call tickets can be picked up any time prior to scheduled time during normal business hours. Remember to bring your photo ID and the credit card you used for the ticket purchase.

How can I find out when tickets will go on sale for a particular performance?
By joining the Bethel Woods E-club you will be notified in advance about our season calendar of events. You may join the E-club by clicking JOIN E-Club on the Bethel Woods home page.

By becoming a Friend of Bethel Woods, you can receive exclusive benefits and privileges to honor your support and enhance your experience. Friends receive advance notice of performances and are able to purchase tickets prior to the general public. Follow the link to find out how you can become of Friend of Bethel Woods.

Can I get a discount if I buy tickets for a large group?
Bethel Woods has Group Sales packages for Museum visits and/or performances for groups representing 20 or more people. Please call (845) 295-2521 to make arrangements.

Can I refund or exchange my tickets?
All ticket sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.

Can tickets be reprinted if I have lost or misplaced them?
Yes. Contact customer service via your Ticketmaster account or call (845) 583-2050.

Where do I park for a Pavilion, Terrace or Events Gallery performances?
For Pavilion Stage performances, friends of Bethel Woods must have their appropriate parking passes (Gold, Silver, Bronze) displayed in the windshield for proper direction from our parking staff who will guide them to the appropriate lot. For General Parking, our parking staff will direct you to the appropriate general lots.

On a Pavilion Stage performance day, museum only patrons should park in the lot closest to 17B (Marked). A shuttle will transport visitors directly to the museum and back to their vehicle.

For Terrace and Events Gallery Performance Days, parking is in the main lot across from the Museum.

How much does parking cost?
There is no charge for parking when entering our lots.

Are there pay phones?
No. In an emergency situation, a courtesy phone is available in the security office at Festival Plaza.

Is there an ATM machine inside the venue?
Yes. ATM’s are located at the top of the festival lawn hill and inside the lower Festival Plaza concessions area. Link to site map with ATM locations.

Is there a lost and found and where is it located?
Yes. Call (845) 583-2009 to reach Lost and Found information.